Athens City Schools is receiving five Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley Electric School Buses through the EPA Clean School Bus Program, Mid-South Bus Center, Tennessee's largest school bus provider, announced this week. 

The district is the first in Tennessee to receive these buses. 

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will provide $5 billion over five years to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low emission models. Under the program's first funding opportunity, the EPA awarded $965 million to fund school bus replacements at nearly 400 schools. 

“Athens City Schools stands as a pioneering force as they enter the electric bus business and are blazing a path for not only themselves, but for other school districts and operators in Tennessee and across the country,” said Steve Benefield, Mid-South Bus Center general manager. “Thank you to Athens City Schools for your partnership as we move the needle in school transportation once again for a school experience for our children and theirs.” 

Officials say school buses are the best suited for electrification because of: 

• Low daily mileage. 

• Predictable, planned routes. 

• Health benefits for students and community. 

• Downtime between routes allowing for midday charging if needed. 

• Ability to provide power back to grid during peak times. 

“We at Athens City Schools strive for the very best for our students, bus drivers, staff and community,” said Athens City Schools Director of Schools Joe Barnett. “We are excited to be the first school system in Tennessee to receive Thomas EV buses under the Clean School Bus Program and know this will equip and serve our school system as we drive into the future.”